Box Score BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – The Bryn Mawr basketball program hit the road to Bryn Athyn on Friday afternoon, prepared to get back on the saddle after a string of conference losses. Despite Alanna Mora-Mickens playing her strongest game of the season with nine points scored and Jess Smith grabbing two three-pointers in the first quarter, the game turned into a heartbreaker for the Owls. The teams were neck-and-neck throughout the entirety of the game, but the Lions ultimately won 62-58.
Bryn Mawr led the first quarter for the first eight minutes of the game. Obtaining first possession of the ball, Bryn Mawr jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with Ella Kotsen making the first two baskets of the game. Although Bryn Athyn had a seven-point run to take their first lead (7-4), Jess Smith soon went on a rampage to get Bryn Mawr back on track. Smith scored two three-pointers and a layup to regain the Owls' lead (12-7). After a made free throw from Smith, Aliya Stubenbord tacked on four points for the Owls to extend their lead to six (17-11). This would be Bryn Mawr's largest lead of the game. With less than three minutes remaining in the quarter, it looked as if Bryn Mawr would hold their lead. However, Bryn Mawr's lead was not meant to last. Bryn Athyn made the next four of five baskets to fight their way to another lead (22-19). Although Owls Sydney Collins made two free throws at the end of the quarter, the Lions held their lead 22-21.
The second quarter remained tight throughout, but the Lions managed to outshoot the Owls by two points to keep their lead. For the second game in a row, Sena Kaper-Dale made the first basket of a quarter, allowing the Owls to retake the lead by one point. Assisted by Kotsen, Smith extended that lead with a layup. Yet, Bryn Athyn made the next six baskets, and the Lions took a seven-point lead (36-29). Kaper-Dale halted the Lions' streak with a layup and was soon followed by Alanna Mora-Mickens, who made her first basket after a five-game dry spell. Although the Owls minimized the Lions' lead to three, the home team ended the half at 36-33.
The third quarter proved to be the toughest battle yet. Sydney Collins had the opening baskets of the third quarter and tied the game for the second time (36-36). Thornhill and Owls Hannah Binder each made a layup, and the game remained tied. Kaper-Dale made an additional four points for the Owls, along with another two from Mora-Mickens, yet the Lions kept up with the Owls' points and Bryn Athyn wrapped the quarter with a three-point lead (49-46).
Bryn Mawr took their fifth lead in the last quarter, but the Owls were unable to bar the Lions from retaking control of the scoreboard. Mora-Mickens made her first three-pointer of the season in the opening minutes of the quarter. A layup from Mora-Mickens quickly followed, her eighth and ninth points of the game, and the Owls retook the lead for the first time since the second quarter. However, the Owls' lead would not last long. Bryn Athyn made the next four baskets for a quick seven-point lead, their strongest since the first quarter. Although Bryn Mawr made their next three free-throws, the Owls never managed to regain control of the game and Bryn Athyn won the game 62-58.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for the Owls, and they'll look to build on those when they return from the holiday break. Bryn Mawr will be back in action on January 7th in the new year for a home game against Gettysburg.
